Accommodating soft contact lens

ABSTRACT

An accommodating contact lens comprises a variable focus optical module, which comprises an optical chamber and one or more eyelid engaging chambers coupled to the optical chamber with one or more extensions comprising channels extending between the optical chamber and the more eyelid engaging chambers. The module may comprise a self-supporting module capable of supporting itself prior to placement in a contact lens to facilitate placement prior to encapsulation in the contact lens. The module may comprise one or more optically transmissive materials, provides improved optical correction, and can be combined with soft contact lens materials such as hydrogels. In many embodiments, the module comprises a support structure extending between an upper membrane and a lower membrane in order to provide variable optical power accurately with decreased amounts distortion and improved responsiveness to eyelid induced pressure.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application is a national stage application ofPCT/US2014/013427, filed on Jan. 28, 2014, entitled “Accommodating SoftContact Lens”, which PCT application claims priority to the followingpatent application: U.S. Ser. No. 61/757,457, filed on Jan. 28, 2013,entitled “An Accommodating Soft Contact Lens”, the entire disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the treatment presbyopia.

As the eye ages, the lens of the eye become less capable of moving toprovide variable optical power, a condition referred to a presbyopia. Inyoung subjects, the lens of the eye can accommodate viewing at variousdistances, so that the user can be both near and far object with clearfocus. However as the eye ages, the lens of the eye becomes less capableof accommodating both near and far vision and subjects with good farvision may require glasses to read close objects.

Prior methods and apparatus of treating presbyopia provide less thanideal treatment in at least some respects. Prior treatments ofpresbyopia include bifocal spectacles, progressive addition lenses, andmultifocal contact lenses, as well as reading glasses and accommodatingintraocular lenses. At least some subjects are spectacle intolerant, andspectacles can be difficult to wear in at least some situations. Multifocal lenses can degrade vision at both near and far vision at leastpartially in at least some instances. Intraocular lenses require surgeryand can be more invasive that would be ideal in at least some instances.

Although multifocal contact lenses have been proposed, such lensesproduce less than ideal results in at least some instances. Multifocalcontact lenses may have two or more optical zones of different opticalpower. In at least some instances, one of these zones of differentoptical power can transmit light to the eye that is out of focus on theretina and degrades vision of the subject. Although contact lenses thattranslate on the cornea have been proposed in order to provide variablefocus, such lenses can be somewhat difficult for subjects to use andprovide less than ideal results in at least some instances. Examples ofmultifocal contact lenses are described in patent Nos.: U.S. Pat. No.7,517,084; U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,695; U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,652; U.S. Pat.No. 6,092,899; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,925, for example.

Although accommodating contact lenses have been previously proposed, theprior accommodating contact lenses can be less than ideal in at leastsome instances. For example, the optical properties of the prioraccommodating contact lenses can be less than ideal. For example, theshape of the central shape changing region of the prior accommodatingcontact lenses can be somewhat distorted when the eye accommodates, andthe accommodating optical zone can be somewhat smaller than would beideal. Also, the optical zones the prior lenses can be shaped somewhatirregularly and may provide less than ideal changes in optical power.Also, the materials of the prior accommodating contact lenses can beless than ideally suited for combination with known contact lensmaterials, and the extent to which prior accommodating contact lensescan be worn on the eye is less than ideal in at least some instances.Accommodating contact lenses are described in WO 91/10154; U.S. Pat. No.7,699,462; U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,464; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,075, forexample.

Work in relation to embodiments also suggests that the prioraccommodating contact lenses are less than ideally suited for largemanufacturing, and that at least some of the prior accommodating contactlenses may be difficult to produce in large volumes in at least someinstances.

Ideally, an improved accommodating contact lens will provideaccommodation to the user, be easy to use, provide quality near visionand far vision, be compatible with known safe contact lens materials,and be readily manufactured. At least some of these objectives are metwith the embodiments as disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods andapparatus for a variable focus lens.

In many embodiments, an accommodating contact lens comprises a variablefocus optical module, which comprises an optical chamber and one or moreeyelid engaging chambers coupled to the optical chamber with one or moreextensions comprising channels such as micro-channels extending betweenthe optical chamber and the more eyelid engaging chambers. In manyembodiments, the module comprises a self-supporting module capable ofsupporting itself prior to placement in a contact lens or upon removalfrom the contact lens, and the extensions may comprise sufficientstrength to support and connect the chamber and the one or more chambersin the free standing configuration such as when the module is handledand placed prior to encapsulation in the contact lens. The module maycomprise one or more optically transmissive materials, provides improvedoptical correction, and can be combined with soft contact lens materialssuch as hydrogels. In many embodiments, the module comprises a supportstructure extending between an upper membrane and a lower membrane inorder to provide variable optical power accurately with decreasedamounts distortion and improved responsiveness to eyelid inducedpressure. The support structure may comprise a stiff support structurehaving a stiffness greater than the upper membrane or the lowermembrane, or both, in order to inhibit optical distortion of the one ormore membranes when deflected in response to fluidic pressure. In manyembodiments the support structure extends around the chamber, the one ormore chambers and the extensions to add stiffness to the module tofacilitate handling of the module when the module is handled prior toencapsulation in the contact lens. The support structure may extendaround the chamber, each of the plurality of chambers and each of theplurality of extensions to add stiffness. In many embodiments, thesupport structure comprises a flange extending around the chamber, theone or more modules, and the one or more extensions.

The module can be encapsulated in the contact lens to provide refractivecorrection of the eye such as far vision correction within an opticalcorrection zone of the contact lens, which can also improve the nearvision correction when the eyelid engages the lens. The structures ofthe module may comprise an optically transmissive material having anindex of refraction similar to an index of refraction of the contactlens material, such that the structures of the module can beencapsulated within the optical correction zone of the lens in order toprovide vision correction and improved near vision correction. Thestructures of the module having the index of refraction of the lenssimilar to the contact lens material may comprise one or more of thecentral optical chamber, the support structure of the optical chamber,the one or more eyelid engaging chambers, the one or more extensionsextending between the optical chamber and the one or more eyelidengaging chambers, the fluid of the module coupling the optical chamberto the one or more eyelid engaging chambers, or anchor structurescomprising openings. The module may comprise anterior and posteriorsurfaces. The encapsulating contact lens material may comprise ananterior thickness profile extending between the contact lens anteriorsurface and the module anterior surface, and a posterior thicknessprofile extending between the contact lens posterior surface and themodule posterior surface in order to provide optical correction. Theanterior and posterior thickness profiles can extend from each of theone or more module structures in order to provide the optical correctionwith a portion of the lens comprising the structure such as at least aportion of one or more of the extension, the anchor, the supportstructure, or the eyelid engaging chamber.

In many embodiments, the module comprises anchors to couple theaccommodation module to a soft contact lens material such as a hydrogel,and the anchors may comprise one or more flanges having a plurality ofopenings to improve coupling to the hydrogel material. The module maycomprise a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the soft contact lensmaterial, and the anchors can inhibit separation of the soft contactlens material from the module encapsulated therein when the soft contactlens is deflected or bent.

In many embodiments, the one or more chambers comprise a plurality ofchambers arranged to provide an incremental increase in optical power.The plurality of chambers may comprise a first chamber and a secondchamber, each coupled to the chamber. The first chamber and the secondchamber may be positioned relative to the chamber so as to engage theeyelid with the first chamber before engaging the second chamber upon adownward gaze. Upon additional downward gaze, the second chamber and thefirst chamber can both be engaged by the eyelid to provide additionalcurvature to the central chamber corresponding to a near visioncorrection. The plurality of chambers may comprise additional chambersas appropriate.

In many embodiments the fluid of the module comprises a positivepressure to facilitate fluidic communication between the optical chamberand the one or more eyelid engaging chambers, and in order to increaseresponsiveness of additional optical power of the optical module inresponse to the eyelid engaging the one or more chambers and to increaseresponsiveness of decreased optical power of the optical module inresponse to the eyelid moving away from the one or more chambers. Thesupport structure may extend along the one or more extensions betweenthe optical chamber and the one or more chambers can facilitate fluidiccommunication between the chamber and the one or more chambers, and thesupport structure may extend around each of the chamber, the one or morechambers and the one or more extensions to facilitate fluidiccommunication among the chambers.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides an accommodation modulecapable of use with a contact lens. The accommodation module maycomprise a chamber and one or more chambers coupled to the chamber withone or more channels.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an accommodatingcontact lens. The accommodating contact lens may comprise anaccommodation module encapsulated within a soft contact lens material.The accommodation module may comprise a sealed module. The sealed modulemay comprise a chamber, an upper membrane, a lower membrane, one or moreextensions, and one or more chambers. The chamber may comprise a supportstructure extending around the chamber. The support structure maycomprise an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper membrane andthe lower membrane may be coupled to the upper portion and the lowerportion, respectively, so as to define the chamber. The one or moreextensions may each comprise a channel. The one or more chambers may becoupled to the chamber with the one or more extensions. The one or morechambers may comprise a fluid.

The support structure may hold the upper membrane and the lower membranewith a substantially fixed distance between outer portions of the uppermembrane and the lower membrane near the support structure when thecontact lens accommodates in order to inhibit optical distortion of oneor more of the upper membrane or the lower membrane when fluid istransmitted from the one or more chambers to the chamber.

The sealed module may be located inside the soft contact lens such thata geometrical center of an optic of the soft contact lens is co-linearwith a geometrical center of the chamber of the fluidic module.

The channel of each of the one or more extensions may comprise a crosssectional width and a cross sectional height. The cross-sectional widthmay be greater than the cross sectional height. Each of the one or moreextensions may comprise an upper membrane and a lower membrane. Thecross-sectional width may comprise a distance within a range from about10 um to about 1.5 mm. The cross-sectional height may comprise adistance within a range from about 10 um to about 50 um. The extensionmay comprise a length extending a distance extending between the chamberand the one or more chambers within a range from about 0.5 mm to about 3mm.

The chamber and the one or more chambers may each comprise a positivepressure. The chamber and the one or more chambers may each comprise apositive pressure providing a deflection of an upper membrane of thechamber and an upper membrane of the one or more chambers in order tofacilitate fluidic communication and responsiveness between the chamberand the two or more chambers. An upper membrane of the chamber maycomprise a first elastic deflection. An upper membrane of the one ormore chambers may comprise a second elastic deflection. A force of thefirst elastic deflection may oppose a force of the second elasticdeflection in order to maintain the pressure of the fluid in the chamberand the one or more chambers.

Top and bottom surfaces of the contact lens may extend over the module.An index of refraction of the fluid may be within a range from about1.44 to 1.55. The upper membrane and the lower membrane may comprise asimilar index of refraction to within about 0.05. The chamber maycomprise an internal diameter within a range from about 3 mm to about 5mm.

The accommodation module may comprise an anchor connected to one or moreof the chamber or the one or more chambers. The anchor may be connectedto the support structure. The anchor may comprise a flange having aplurality of openings, and a soft material of the contact lens mayextend through the plurality of openings. The anchor may comprise aplurality of anchors located around the chamber, and each of theplurality of anchors may comprise a plurality of openings in a flange.The anchor may comprise a plurality of anchors.

The support structure may comprise one or more of a ring, an oval or anannulus extending around the chamber.

The support structure may define a maximum dimension across the chamber.The maximum distance across the chamber may remain substantially fixedwhen a curvature of one or more of the upper or lower surfaces increasesto provide increased optical power.

The support structure may comprise a material similar to the one or moreof the upper membrane or the lower membrane.

The support structure may comprise a material of the one or more of theupper membrane or the lower membrane. The support structure may comprisea stiff structure extending around the chamber and may comprise athickness greater than a thickness of one or more of the upper membraneor the lower membrane to add rigidity to the stiff structure. Thesupport structure may comprise the material of the upper membrane andthe material of the lower membrane. And, the material of the uppermembrane may be bonded to the material of the lower membrane to definethe support structure and add stiffness to the support structure.

The support structure may comprise an annular structure having asubstantially fixed inner diameter and a substantially fixed length whenthe upper membrane increases in curvature to provide at least about 1.5Diopter of optical power.

The support structure may be connected to the upper membrane. The uppermembrane may deflect to a spherical shape in response to pressure of theeyelid. The stiff structure may comprise a substantially fixed maximumdimension across in order to provide the spherical shape when the uppermembrane deflects to the spherical shape.

The module may comprise a self supporting module capable of supportingitself when removed from the contact lens.

The support structure may comprise a stiff structure comprising astiffness greater than a stiffness of the upper membrane.

The support structure may comprise a length extending along an opticalaxis of the eye corresponding to a thickness of the upper membrane andthe lower membrane.

The upper membrane may comprise an upper membrane thickness. The lowermembrane may comprise a lower membrane thickness. An upper flange mayextend an upper distance from the upper membrane. A lower flange mayextend a lower distance from the lower membrane. The lower distance maybe greater than the lower thickness. The upper distance may be greaterthan the upper thickness. The upper flange may be bonded to the lowerflange. The upper flange may be bonded to the lower flange to define thesupport structure.

Each of the one or more chambers may comprise a lower membrane and anupper membrane and an upper flange extending from the upper membrane anda lower flange extending from the lower membrane. The upper flange maybe bonded to the lower flange to define a support structure extendingaround each of the one or more chambers.

Each of the one or more extensions may comprise a lower membrane and anupper membrane and an upper flange extending from the upper membrane anda lower flange extending from the lower membrane. The upper flange maybe bonded to the lower flange to define a support structure extendingaround each of the one or more chambers.

The module may comprise an upper face having an upper thickness and thelower face having a lower thickness greater than the upper thickness.The module may comprise an indicia to indicate an orientation of theupper face and the lower face. The indicia may comprise one or more of amarker or an arrangement of structures to identify the upper face or thelower face. The module may comprise a midline extending through anoptical zone of the contact lens. The module may be disposed about themidline. The marker or arrangement of structures on a first side of themidline may identify the upper face in an upper orientation. The markeror arrangement on a second side of the midline may identify the upperface in a lower configuration. The midline may be oriented to withinabout +/−fifteen degrees of a vertical direction when the user isupright to provide an even weight distribution and inhibit cyclorotation of the lens relative to the cornea about an optical axis of theeye. The marker or arrangement of structures may comprise an index ofrefraction similar to an index of refraction of the contact lensmaterial to inhibit visibility of the marker or arrangement ofstructures when the contact lens material encapsulates the module. Themarker or arrangement may be visible when the module is exposed to air.The arrangement of structures may comprise an arrangement of openings inan anchor of the module. The marker may comprise a marking on themodule.

The contact lens may comprise an optical correction zone to correct arefractive error of the eye. One or more of an eyelid engaging chamber,an extension, a support structure or an anchor may extend at leastpartially within the optical correction zone.

The optical correction zone may comprise a lens anterior surface and alens posterior surface of the contact lens. The module may comprise amodule anterior surface and a module posterior surface. The contact lensmaterial may comprise an anterior thickness profile, extending betweenthe lens anterior surface and the module anterior surface, and aposterior thickness profile, extending between the lens posteriorsurface and the module posterior surface. The module may comprise amodule thickness profile extending between the module anterior surfaceand the module posterior surface. The anterior thickness profile, theposterior thickness profile and the module thickness profile togethermay provide optical power of the optical correction zone to correctvision of the eye.

At least a portion of the eyelid engaging chamber may extend within theoptical correction zone. Light transmitted through the at least theportion may correct vision of the eye.

At least a portion of the extension may extend within the opticalcorrection zone. Light transmitted through the at least the portion maycorrect vision of the eye.

At least a portion of the support structure may extend within theoptical correction zone. Light transmitted through the at least theportion may correct vision of the eye.

At least a portion of the anchor may extend within the opticalcorrection zone. Light transmitted through the at least the portion maycorrect vision of the eye. The anchor may comprise one or more openingsand the contact lens material may extend through the one or moreopenings. An optically transmissive support material may extend aroundthe one or more openings to define the openings. The opticallytransmissive support material and the contact lens material may comprisesimilar indices of refraction to inhibit optical artifacts.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an accommodatingcontact lens. The accommodating contact lens comprises a supportstructure extending around an optical chamber, one or more chamberscoupled to the optical chamber, and a soft material encapsulating thesupport structure and the one or more chambers. The support structuremay comprise an upper portion and a lower portion. The contact lens mayfurther comprise an upper membrane coupled to the upper portion, a lowermembrane coupled to the lower portion, and one or more extensions eachcomprising a channel coupled to the optical chamber and the one or morechambers. The soft contact lens material may encapsulate the one or moreextensions. Pressure of an eyelid to the one or more chambers maydeflect the upper membrane and an upper surface of the contact lens.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an accommodating softcontact lens comprising a hermetically sealed fluid filled modulefurther comprising a circularly symmetric central chamber. The lens mayalter its refractive power by at least 0.5 diopters upon down-gaze. Inmany embodiments, the lens alters its refractive power by at least 1.5diopters upon down-gaze.

The module may comprise the central chamber and at least one peripheralchamber. The module may comprise one or more micro-channels connectingsaid central chamber and said peripheral chamber.

The module may be filled with a fluid that cannot permeate through thewalls of said module.

The chamber may be cylindrical in shape and may comprise relativelyflexible membranes on the top and bottom surfaces. Furthermore, thechamber may comprise a relatively rigid membrane at the edge. Thechamber may be of 4.0-5.0 mm in diameter. The edges of the chamber are10-40 microns in length.

The accommodating contact lens may further comprise membranes comprisingthe top and bottom surfaces of the central chamber. The membranes mayvary in nominal thickness from 5-25 microns. The thickness of themembrane comprising the bottom surface may be greater than the thicknessof the membrane comprising the top surface. The membranes may have arefractive index substantially equal to that of the fluid therein andalso the contact lens.

One or more micro-channels may be connected to an edge of said centralchamber. The central chamber may be completely filled with fluid withoutthe presence of any bubbles or discontinuities.

The module may comprise one or more micro-channels connecting thecentral chamber and a peripheral chamber. The central chamber may beinflated when fluid is injected into it through the micro-channels. Theinflation may cause a decrease in curvature of the membrane comprisingthe top surface of said central chamber.

The central chamber may be either circular or elongated in shape at thetop or the bottom surfaces.

A peripheral chamber may be connected to the central chamber by means ofa micro-channel. The total volume of the chambers may be in the range0.2 to 0.5 microliters. Fluid within the chambers and the micro-channelmay have a refractive index substantially equal to that of the contactlens and also that of membranes comprising the top and bottom surfacesof said central chamber. The fluid may comprise a fluorocarbon, asiloxane, an ester, or an ether. The micro-channel may have an internaldiameter in the range 20-50 microns. The micro-channel may havemicro-indentations on its inner surface, oriented to modulate the flowof fluid therein in preferential directions.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an accommodating softcontact lens which may comprise a hermetically sealed fluid filledmodule. The fluid filled module may further comprise a circularlysymmetric central chamber. The module may be embedded in the contactlens, with the anterior surface of the module being within 5 microns and15 microns of the anterior surface of said lens.

In any of the accommodating contact lens described herein, the one ormore chambers may comprise a plurality of chambers arranged to beselectively engaged with an eyelid in order to provide incrementalincreases in optical power.

The plurality of chambers may comprises a first chamber and a secondchamber. The first chamber and the second chamber may be arranged toengage the first chamber with the eyelid before the second chamber inorder to provide a first amount of intermediate vision correction whenthe first chamber is engaged. The first chamber and the second chambermay be arranged to engage the second chamber and the first chambertogether with the eyelid to provide a second amount of opticalcorrection corresponding to near vision correction.

The first chamber and the second chamber may be arranged to engage thefirst chamber with the eyelid margin before the second chamber in orderto provide a first amount of intermediate vision correction when thefirst chamber is engaged with the eyelid margin. The first chamber andthe second chamber may be arranged to engage the second chamber and thefirst chamber together with the eyelid margin to provide a second amountof optical correction corresponding to near vision correction.

The first chamber and the second chamber may be arranged to engage thefirst chamber with the eyelid margin before the second chamber in orderto provide a first amount of intermediate vision correction when thefirst chamber is engaged with the eyelid margin. The first chamber andthe second chamber may be arranged to engage the second chamber and thefirst chamber together with the eyelid margin to provide a second amountof optical correction corresponding to near vision correction.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of treatingan eye. An accommodating contact lens comprising a chamber and one ormore chambers coupled to the chamber is provided. The accommodatingcontact lens may further comprise an optically transmissive moduleencapsulated in the contact lens. The module may comprise the chamberand the one or more chambers, and the optically transmissive module maybe encapsulated within an optically transmissive contact lens materialof the contact lens. A support structure may extend around the chamberto inhibit distortion. A plurality of anchors may couple the opticallytransmissive chamber and the one or more chambers to an opticallytransmissive hydrogel material of the contact lens. The one or morechambers may comprise a plurality of chambers arranged to provideincremental increases in optical power with increasing engagement of aneyelid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detaileddescription that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which theprinciples of the disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawingsof which:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a fluidic module, comprising a centralchamber and several peripheral chambers, interconnected viamicro-channels, upon primary gaze, in accordance with embodiments;

FIGS. 2A-2C show examples of fluidic modules and chambers, in accordancewith embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the fluidic module, comprising a centralchamber and several peripheral chambers, interconnected viamicro-channels, upon downward gaze, in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 4A shows a free standing module comprising an inner optical chamberand a plurality of eyelid engaging outer chambers in accordance withembodiments;

FIG. 4B shows cross-sectional view of an extension and a support flange,in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 4C shows a soft accommodating contact lens comprising moduleencapsulated in the soft contact lens material, and optical structuresof the contact lens and module, in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 4D shows an accommodating contact lens comprising a far visioncorrection configuration, in which the optical correction zone extendsover the optical chamber and the one or more extensions, and at leastpartially over the one or more eye engaging chambers, in accordance withembodiments;

FIG. 4E shows the one or more eye engaging chambers in an uncompressedconfiguration, in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 4F shows the one or more eye engaging chambers in a compressedconfiguration, in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a free standing module comprising an inner optical chamberand a plurality of outer eyelid engaging chambers, in which the modulehas an anchor comprising a flange with a plurality of openings to holdthe module in the contact lens;

FIG. 6 shows a free standing module comprising an inner optical chamberand an outer arcuate eyelid engaging chamber, in which the module has ananchor comprising a flange with a plurality of openings to hold themodule in the contact lens;

FIG. 7 shows a free standing module comprising an inner optical chamberand a plurality of outer eyelid engaging chambers, in which the modulehas an anchor comprising a flange with a plurality of openings to holdthe module in the contact lens;

FIG. 8 shows a pressurized accommodating module, in accordance withembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A better understanding of the features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detaileddescription that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which theprinciples of embodiments of the present disclosure are utilized, andthe accompanying drawings.

Although the detailed description contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure but merely asillustrating different examples and aspects of the present disclosure.It should be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure includes otherembodiments not discussed in detail above. Various other modifications,changes and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in theart may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methodand apparatus of the present disclosure provided herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as describedherein.

The inventors have developed solutions to these problems and discloseherein an improved design of a fluidic module that may be embedded intoa soft contact lens for correction of presbyopia.

The embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in one or more of manyways to provide improved accommodation of a contact lens.

As used herein like characters identify like elements.

As used herein the words “top” or “upper” encompass the anteriorsurface, away from the corneal surface, and the words “bottom” or“lower” encompass the posterior surface, closest to the corneal surface.

As used herein the letter “C” after a number in the context oftemperature encompasses degrees Celsius and Centigrade, as will bereadily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein a dash “-” can be used to express a range of values, aswill be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the same index refraction encompasses an index ofrefraction close enough to another index of refraction to inhibit visualartifacts that might otherwise be perceptible to the user.

As used herein, similar index refraction encompasses an index ofrefraction close enough to another index of refraction to inhibit visualartifacts.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a fluidic module 150, comprising a centralchamber 160 and several peripheral chambers 180, interconnected viamicro-channels 172, upon primary gaze, in accordance with embodiments.

In many embodiments, the design comprises a single, hermetically sealedfluidic module that comprises one or more separate chambers,interconnected by means of micro-channels, embedded in a soft contactlens, as shown in FIG. 1.

In many embodiments, the central chamber 160 is cylinder shaped withedges that are relatively stiff, its faces being covered by a relativelyflexible distensible membrane. The top and bottom faces can be circularin shape.

The central chamber is connected to each of the peripheral chambers bymeans of a micro-channel.

FIGS. 2A-2C show examples of fluidic modules and chambers, in accordancewith embodiments.

The shape of the peripheral chambers are also cylindrical, and their topand bottom faces are circular or elongated, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

The fluidic module can be located inside the soft contact lens 100 suchthat the geometrical center of the lens optic is co-linear with thegeometrical center of the central chamber of the fluidic module.

The fluidic module can be filled with a biocompatible fluid 190,preferably of the same refractive index as the material of the softcontact lens, in the range of 1.44 to 1.55 or about 1.40 to about 1.55,for example.

The viscosity of the fluid can be in the range 0.2-2.0 centistokes at 37C, or in the range of about 0.2 to 5.0 centistokes at 37 C.

The fluid 190 is preferably a siloxane, a fluorocarbon, an ester, anether or a hydrocarbon, or combinations thereof, for example.

The membrane is biocompatible, and has an index preferably substantiallythe same as the fluid and the contact lens itself, in the range1.44-1.55, or within the range from 1.40 to 1.55, for example.

The membrane may be of the same thickness throughout, or it may have athickness profile, contoured to control its rigidity or flexibilityalong the dimensions of the membrane.

The membrane is preferably a fluorocarbon, a polyester, a polyurethane,a polyether, a polyimide, a polyamide, an acrylate or methacrylateester, or a copolymer bearing these functionalities.

The module may comprise on or more of many optically transmissivematerials, such as one or more of a plastic, a polymer, a thermoplastic, a fluoropolymer a non-reactive thermoplastic fluoropolymer, orpolyvinylidene difluoride (hereinafter “PVDF”), for example.

The micro-channels are fabricated from a biocompatible material, and maybe a fluorocarbon, a polyester, a polyimide, a polyamide, an epoxide, anacrylate or methacrylate ester, or a hydrocarbon such as polypropyleneor polyethylene.

The walls of the central chamber of the module may either be composed ofthe same material as the membrane on the two sides, or it may be made ofa different material.

The fluidic module 150 can be embedded in the soft contact lens 100 suchthat the module is close to the anterior (convex) surface of the lens.

Preferably there is a thin layer of contact lens material above thefluidic module, its thickness being in the range of 5-10 microns.

Being close to the surface of the contact lens, a change in curvature ofthe fluidic module (caused by inflation or deflation through fluidtransfer between the central and peripheral chambers) causes acorresponding change in the anterior curvature of the soft contact lens

The diameter 161 of the central chamber 160 can be at least about 3 mm,for example within a range from about 3.0 to 5.0 mm, such as a rangefrom about 3.0 to about 4.5 mm, for example within a range from about4.0-4.5 mm, while the length of the edge can be about 10-40 microns.

The thickness of the membranes 162, 166, comprising the top and thebottom surfaces of the central chamber can be in the range 5-20 microns.

The thickness of the membrane comprising the edge 164 can be in therange 10-50 microns

The peripheral chambers 180 have a total area of 5.0-8.0 mm² and athickness of 10-30 microns each.

The total volume of the sealed module can be in the range of 0.15-0.80mm³, or 0.15-0.80 microliter, or from about 0.15 to about 2.50 mm³(about 0.15 to about 2.50 microliter), for example.

Each micro-channel can be about 10-30 microns in internal diameter andabout 2-5 mm long, or from about 1 to about 5 mm long, for example.

The micro-channels may be designed to have an uniform internal diameteror it may have micro-indentations oriented to impede flow in onedirection in preference to the other.

The purpose of these indentations can be to modulate the response timeof the onset and removal of the additional plus power after thedown-gaze.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the fluidic module, comprising a centralchamber and several peripheral chambers, interconnected viamicro-channels, upon downward gaze, in accordance with embodiments.

The mechanism of action involves movement of the scleral sphere causedby down-gaze typically occurring when the wearer attempts to read orperform a near vision task.

The eyeball moves down by about 20 degrees-60 degrees, depending on thelevel of down-gaze, causing the corneal surface to rotate down by about2.0 mm-6.0 mm

The peripheral chambers slide under the lower eyelid and can becompressed, as shown in FIG. 3.

A 2.0 mm downward movement of the lens positioned on the cornea willcause partial (30-60%) compression, while a 4.0 mm or greater eyemovement will cause the entire peripheral chamber to be compressed.

In many embodiments eyelid caused compression will be able to expel afraction (20%-60%) of the fluid in the peripheral chamber(s) when thetotality of peripheral chambers move under the lower eyelid.

The fluid moves travels through the micro-channels connected at thedistal end to the central chamber, and increases the hydrostaticpressure in the central chamber.

The hydrostatic pressure being equal in all directions, causes aspherical inflation of the membrane on the top and bottom faces.

This inflation may be preferentially directed to the top surface byusing a thicker membrane at the top surface, rendering it stiffer thanthe membrane covering the bottom surface of the central chamber

In some embodiments, the hydrostatic pressure may be equal in alldirections, and consequently causes a spherical inflation of themembrane on the top and bottom faces.

In many embodiments, the relative extent of inflation of the top and thebottom faces can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the membranescovering the top and bottom faces and providing an accommodating modulehaving an appropriate thickness of each of the top and bottom membranes.

Similarly, the edge can be rendered less distensible by using arelatively thick walled membrane for its fabrication.

In many embodiments, a 2.0 D increase in power can be achieved by a5.0-7.0 micron sag height change of the anterior (top) surface of thecentral chamber, when the central chamber is within a range from about3.0 mm to about 5.0 mm, for example about 4.0 mm in diameter.Alternatively or in combination, a 2.0 D increase in power can beachieved by a 5.0-15.0 micron sag height change of the anterior (top)surface of the central chamber, when the central chamber is within arange from about 3.0 mm to about 5.0 mm, for example about 4.0 mm indiameter.

This change in curvature can be effected by injection of fluid of volumeequal to 0.10-0.15 microliters. Alternatively or in combination, thechange in curvature can be effected by injection of fluid of volumewithin a range from about 0.07 to about 0.21 microliters, for example.

In many embodiments, the total volume of fluid to be expelled from theperipheral chambers to the central chamber due to eyelid pressure can bewithin a range from about 0.10 to about 0.30 microliters. Alternativelyor in combination, the total volume of fluid to be expelled from theperipheral chambers to the central chamber due to eyelid pressure can bewithin a range from about 0.07 to about 0.30 microliters.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the central optical chamber 160 comprising thereservoir is connected to the one or more eyelid engaging chambers withone or more extensions 170 comprising one or more channels 172. The oneor more eyelid engaging chambers 180 may comprise a plurality of eyelidengaging chambers, such as chamber A, chamber B, chamber C and chamberD. A plurality of extensions comprising a plurality of channels connectsthe plurality of chambers to the central optical chamber. Themicro-channels extend between the central optical chamber and each ofthe plurality of chambers.

The plurality of eyelid engaging chambers can be arranged in one or moreof many ways. For example, the eyelid engaging chambers can be arrangedto engage the eyelid sequentially, simultaneously, incrementally, or incombinations thereof, for example.

The plurality of eyelid engaging chambers can be arranged to provideincremental amounts of optical power to the central optical chamber uponincreasing engagement of the lower eyelid with the plurality ofchambers. In many embodiments, a first eyelid engaging chamber such aschamber B or chamber C engages the eyelid before a second eyelidengaging chamber such as chamber A or chamber D. Engagement of the firsteyelid engaging chamber can urge a first amount of fluid into thecentral optical chamber to provide a first amount of optical power.Engagement of the second eyelid engaging chamber can urge a secondamount of fluid into the central optical chamber to provide a secondamount of optical power greater than the first amount of optical power.The first amount of fluid from the first eyelid engaging chamber can becombined with the second amount of fluid from the second eyelid engagingchamber to provide the second amount of optical power greater than thefirst amount of optical power, for example. In many embodiments, thefirst amount of fluid can be combined with the second amount of fluidwithin the central optical chamber to provide the increased opticalpower.

In many embodiments, the first chamber comprises a first plurality ofchambers, and the second chamber comprises a second plurality ofchambers, for example. Chambers B and C may comprise a first pluralityof chambers, each contributing an amount of optical power within a rangefrom about 0.25 Diopters to about 0.75 Diopters, for example. Chambers Aand D may comprise a second plurality of chambers, each contributing anamount of optical power within a range from about 0.25 Diopters to about0.75 Diopters, for example. For example each of chambers A, B, C and Dmay provide about 0.5 Diopters of correction, and engagement of chambersB and C provides about 1 D of additional optical power with a firstposition of the lens in relation to the eyelid, and engagement ofchambers A, B, C and D provides about 2 D of additional optical powerwith a second position of the eyelid in relation to the lens.

FIG. 4A shows a free standing module 150 comprising an inner opticalchamber 160 and a plurality of eyelid engaging outer chambers 180. Asupport structure 165 such as a flange 460 extends around the opticalchamber 160 and may extend around each of the eyelid engaging chambers180 and the extensions 170. The flange 460 may comprise one or moreflanges to provide support such as an extension flange 470. Each of theflanges extends from a first inner location 472 to a second outerlocation 474, so as to define a width of the flange. For example, theflanges 460 of the optical chamber can extend from a first innerlocation 462 to a second outer location 464, so as to define a width ofthe flange.

The contact lens 100 and module 150 each comprises optical componentsthat can be arrange in one or more of many ways. In many embodiments,the module 150 comprises an optical center 155 located along an opticalaxis 157 of the optical chamber 160. The optical center 155 comprises anoptical center of the optical chamber 160. The optical center 155 maycomprise a location along optical axis 157 extending through a center ofthe support structure 165 and vertex of the upper membrane 162 when theoptical chamber 160 comprises increased curvature to provide additionaloptical power, for example.

The module 150 comprises a maximum lateral dimension across 450, and amaximum vertical dimension across 452, as may be defined when the userstands, for example.

FIG. 4B shows cross-sectional view of an extension and a support flange.

The channel 172 can be shaped in one or more in many ways and comprisesa cross sectional width 472. The channel 170 comprises a height 476. Inmany embodiments, the height 476 is less than the width 472.

The optical correction zone 117 of the contact lens 100 can beconfigured in one or more of many ways as disclosed herein, so as toprovide beneficial vision to the subject. The optical correction zone117 comprises a zone of the contact lens 100 that provides desiredoptical correction of the subject, such as far vision correction, forexample. In many embodiments, the optical correction zone 117 is sizedin relation to the pupil of the subject, which can vary with age andlighting, and a person of ordinary skill in the art can determine anappropriate size of the optical correction zone 117 based on theteachings provided herein. The optical correction zone 117 can be sizedwithin a range from smaller than the inner diameter 161 of chamber 160to larger than a dimension covering the module 150. In many embodiments,the optical correction zone 117 comprises a dimension, such as adiameter, sized within a range from about the diameter of the opticalcorrection zone 160 to a diameter covering the one or more eye engagingchambers 180. In many embodiments, the eye optical correction zone 117comprises a diameter sized so that the outer boundary extends throughthe one or more extensions 170 when the center of the optical correctionzone is aligned within the optical module, for example when axis 115 isaligned with the center 155 of the module. In many embodiments, the eyeoptical correction zone 117 comprises a diameter sized so that the outerboundary extends through the one or more eye engaging members 180 whenthe center of the optical correction zone 117 is aligned within theoptical module 180, for example when axis 115 is aligned with the center155 of the module.

In many embodiments, the optical correction zone 117 is sized such thatthe optical correction zone extends over one or more anchors asdescribed herein.

The structure of the module 150 can be symmetrically disposed about amidline 570, so as to inhibit gravitationally induced rotation of themodule, for example when the subject stands. In many embodiments, themidline 570 is arranged for placement on the contact lens such that themidline 570 is aligned to the known 90 degree axis of the cornea of theeye, for example.

While each of the flanges can be shaped in one or more of many ways, inmany embodiments the flange 470 comprises a width 474 extending from aninterior of the channel 172. The flanges of each of the optical chamber160 and one or more chambers 180 can be similarly formed.

In many embodiments, each of flanges comprises an upper flange of anupper membrane and a lower flange of a lower membrane. The flange of theupper membrane can be boned to the flange of the lower membrane todefine the optical chamber 160, the one or more extensions 170 and theone or more outer chambers 180, for example. The lower membrane can bethicker than the upper membrane to encourage greater movement of theupper membrane than the lower membrane

The bonding of the upper flange to the lower flange can be performed inone or more of many ways, such that the lower flange and upper flangeare joined, for example joined securely, to each other, in manyembodiments by means of an adhesive substance, heat, or pressure and maycomprise one or more of welding, adhesive, or pressure, for example.

In many embodiments the module may comprise a first sheet of materialbonded to a second sheet of material in order to define the supportstructure 165 comprising the flange, for example.

FIG. 4C shows soft accommodating contact lens 100 comprising module 150encapsulated in the soft contact lens material 110, and opticalstructures of the contact lens and module, in accordance withembodiments. In many embodiments, the module 150 is embedded in the softcontact lens material. The contact lens may comprise an opticalcorrection zone 117 to provide far vision correction to the subject, andmay correct one or more of spherical refractive error, astigmatism,myopia or hyperopia of the subject, for example. In many embodiments,the center of the optical correction zone 117 comprises a center locatedalong an optical axis 115 of the accommodating contact lens 110. Theoptical correction zone 117 may comprise an anterior surface 116 of thecontact lens 100 and a posterior surface 118 of the contact lens, inwhich the anterior and posterior surfaces comprise profiles configuredto provide a far vision correction of the subject when the one or moreeyelid engaging chambers 180 do not engage the eyelid of the subject.For example, the posterior surface of the contact lens 118 can beprovided so as to fit the cornea of the subject, and the anteriorsurface 116 can be configured to provide the intended far vision of thesubject when combined with the posterior surface.

In many embodiments, the module 150 comprises an accommodationcorrecting optical zone defined with an inner dimension such of thesupport structure 165, such as an inner diameter 161 of the opticalchamber 160, in order to provide near vision correction within theoptical zone 117 of the contact lens 100. The optical center 155 of themodule 150 is located along an optical axis of 157 of the opticalchamber 160. In many embodiments, the optical axis 115 of the contactlens is coaxial with the optical axis 155 of the module, and the opticalcenter of the contact lens may be collinear with the optical center ofthe optical chamber. Alternatively, the optical center 155 of the module150 can be displaced from the optical center of the contact lens. Forexample, the optical center 155 of the module can be displacedinferiorly, or nasally, or both, in relation to the optical center ofthe contact lens, for example.

The material 110 of the contact lens 100 can be arranged over the module150 in one or more of many ways to provide accommodating vision for thesubject such as a consumer. In many embodiments, the soft contact lensmaterial 110 encapsulates the module 150 so as to inhibit perceptiblevisual artifacts of the contact lens 100. In many embodiments, thecontact lens material and materials of the module comprise similarindices of refraction so as to inhibit visual artifacts that mightotherwise be perceptible to the user. For example, the anterior membrane162 of the central optical chamber 160 may comprise a curvature greaterthan the curvature of the anterior surface of the optical correctionzone 117 of the lens, and the indices of refraction of the membrane 162and the soft contact lens material 110 can be substantially similar,such that light passing through the interface of the contact lensmaterial 110 and membrane 162 is not substantially refracted by theinterface.

In many embodiments, the thickness profiles of the contact lens module,the anterior contact lens material, and the posterior contact lensmaterial can be combined so as to provide the optical correction zone116 of the lens 100. In many embodiments, the soft contact lens material110 encapsulating module 150 comprises a varying thickness profilebetween the module 150 and one or more of the anterior (“upper”) surface116 and posterior (“lower) surface 118 in order to provide the intendedrefraction. In many embodiments, the module 150 comprises an anteriorface such as an anterior surface 156 and a posterior face such asposterior surface 158. In many embodiments, the module 150 comprises avarying thickness profile extending between anterior surface 156 andposterior surface 158. A thickness profile of the contact lens material110 extending between the anterior surface 116 of the lens 110 and theanterior surface 156 of the module 150 varies so as to provide opticalcorrection of the subject with the anterior surface 116. A thicknessprofile of the contact lens material 110 extending between the posteriorsurface 118 of the lens 110 and the posterior surface 158 of the module150 varies so as to provide optical correction of the subject with theposterior surface 118.

The soft contact lens material 110 may cover the module 110 with aconfiguration that provides optical irregularities outside of theoptical zone 117 in order to inhibit visual artifacts. For example, thecontact lens 100 may comprise a configuration that produces a slightbulge over the eyelid engaging chamber 180, and the eyelid engagingchamber can be located outside of the optical zone 117 of the contactlens 100 such that light passing through the eyelid engaging chamber issubstantially occluded by the iris of the eye.

FIG. 4D shows a contact lens 100 comprising a far vision correctionconfiguration, in which the optical correction zone 117 extends over theoptical chamber 160 and the one or more extensions 170, and at leastpartially over the one or more eye engaging chambers 180. The contactlens material 110 comprises: an anterior varying thickness profileextending between the anterior surface 116 and the anterior surface 156,a posterior varying thickness profile extending between the posteriorsurface 118 and the posterior surface 158, in response to anintermediate varying thickness profile extending between the anteriorsurface 156 and the posterior surface 158, in order to provide opticalcorrection with optical correction zone 117. Light rays refracted by theanterior surface that extend through the one or more eye engagingchambers 156 provide an optical correction of the subject, which maycomprise a far vision correction, for example.

The varying thickness profiles and substantially similar indices ofrefraction allow complex module structures to be encapsulated within thecontact lens material 110 in a manner that inhibits visual artifacts.

The contact lens 100 may comprise an anterior surface 116 flatter thanposterior surface 118 as shown in FIG. 4D, in order to provide distancevision correction to a near sighted subject. A person of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that the curvatures as shown in FIG. 4D arenot shown according to scale in order to illustrate structure of theoptical correction zone and outer peripheral zone. The outer peripheralzone of the anterior surface may comprise a steeper curvature than thesurface 116 of the optical correction zone.

FIG. 4E shows the one or more eye engaging chambers 180 in anuncompressed configuration, in accordance with embodiments. The upperand lower membranes in the uncompressed configuration may comprise oneor more of a convex curvature, a concave curvature, and combinationsthereof. In many embodiments, the anterior membrane of the chamber 180comprises a thickness greater than the posterior membrane of the chamber180, and the anterior membrane of the chamber 180 comprises a thicknessgreater than an anterior membrane of the optical chamber 160, in orderto inhibit aberrations of the one or more peripheral chambers.

FIG. 4F shows the one or more eye engaging chambers 180 in a compressedconfiguration, in accordance with embodiments. The upper and lowermembranes in the compressed configuration may comprise one or more of aconvex curvature, a concave curvature, and combinations thereof, suchthat the volume of the compressed chamber comprises an amount less thanthe volume of the uncompressed chamber.

FIG. 5 shows a free standing module 150 comprising an inner opticalchamber 160 and a plurality of outer eyelid engaging chambers 180, inwhich the module has an anchor 500 comprising a flange 510 with aplurality of openings 512 to hold the module in the contact lens. Themodule can be dimensioned so as to comprise an oval outer perimeter, forexample, as defined with dimension 450 and dimension 452, for example.

An indicia of alignment such as a marker 560 can be provided with themodule 150 in order to properly orient the module with respect to thecontact lens during manufacturing. For example, the module 150 maycomprise a thicker lower membrane and a relatively thinner lowermembrane as described herein, and the marker 560 can be placed on oneside of the midline, such as the left side when viewed toward the uppersurface of the module to indicate that the upper thinner face of themodule is properly oriented. Alternatively or in combination, the anchormay comprise a structure to indicate the alignment of the module 150.

FIG. 6 shows a free standing module 150 comprising an inner opticalchamber 160 and an outer arcuate eyelid engaging chamber 180, in whichthe module has an anchor 500 comprising a flange 510 with a plurality ofopenings 512 to hold the module in the contact lens. The arcuate eyelidengaging chamber comprises an angular dimension 462, and a radius 620defining and end portion.

Although an anchor comprising a plurality of openings is shown, theanchor may comprise one or more of many structures providing an increasesurface area, for example, such as a brush or screen, for example.

FIG. 7 shows a free standing module 150 comprising an inner opticalchamber 160 and a plurality of outer eyelid engaging chambers 180, inwhich the module 150 has an anchor 500 comprising a plurality of flanges510 with a plurality of openings 512 to hold the module in the contactlens 150. The anchoring flanges can be shaped in one or more of manyways and may comprise a plurality of lobes, for example. Each of thelobes may comprise a first radius 710 and a second shorter radius 712,for example.

The soft material of the soft accommodating contact lens in which themodule is encapsulated, for example embedded, may comprise one or moreof many known soft commercially available materials such as one or moreof a hydrogel, silicone, siloxane, silicone hydrogel, galyfilcon A,senofilcon A, Comfilcon A, Enfilcon A, polyacrlate.

FIG. 8 shows a free standing pressurized accommodating module 150,suitable for combination in accordance with embodiments describedherein. The module 150 can be pressurized with fluid 190 in order todecrease hysteresis and improve responsiveness of the module. In thefree standing unloaded configuration, the upper membrane 162 of theoptical chamber 160 and the upper membrane 162 of eye engaging chamber180 may each comprise a slightly convex outward curvature in response tothe pressurization. When the eyelid engages the membrane 162 of the oneor more chambers 180, the membrane is urged downward toward the lowermembrane 166 so as to drive fluid 190 into optical chamber 160. Inresponse to the addition fluid 190 in chamber 160, the upper membrane162 comprises an increased curvature 862 so as to provide additionaloptical power for one or more of intermediate or near vision asdisclosed herein. The membrane 162 may comprise a vertex 159 in thecurved configuration as described herein. As the module 150 may compriseone or more support structures as disclosed herein, the pressurizationcan result in opposing forces directed to each upper membrane such thateach membrane comprises an elastic deformation in the free standingunloaded configuration so as to provide improved responsiveness of themodule. The elastic membrane deflections and corresponding opposingforces may comprise an equilibrium configuration of the opposing elasticforces of the membranes, for example.

The module and anchors as described herein are well suited forcombination of the lens module with a hydrogel contact lens material,for example. In many embodiments, the module comprises a stiffnessgreater than the contact lens material, and the anchors allow the moduleto be retained within the contact lens when the contact lens isdeflected, for example bent, without the module rupturing the contactlens material. In many embodiments, the module comprises a firstnon-hydrogel material such as a plastic, and the contact lens materialcomprises a hydrogel, and the anchors facilitate retention of the modulein the contact lens material when the hydrogel material expands orcontracts and the module comprises substantially fixed dimensions.

While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shownand described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the artthat such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will be apparent to those skilledin the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments ofthe present disclosure described herein may be employed withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scopeof the present invention shall be defined solely by the scope of theappended claims and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An accommodating contact lens comprising: anoptical chamber, a plurality of eyelid-engaging chambers coupled to theoptical chamber, and a plurality of channels coupled to the plurality ofeyelid-engaging chambers to couple the plurality of eyelid-engagingchambers to the optical chamber, wherein the plurality of eyelidengaging chambers is arranged to be selectively engaged with an eyelidin order to provide incremental increases in optical power, wherein theplurality of eyelid engaging chambers comprises a first chamber and asecond chamber, and wherein the first chamber and the second chamber arearranged to engage the first chamber with the eyelid before the secondchamber in order to provide a first amount of intermediate visioncorrection when the first chamber is engaged, and to engage the secondchamber and the first chamber together with the eyelid to provide asecond amount of optical correction corresponding to near visioncorrection.
 2. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 1, wherein eachof the plurality of channels is directly coupled to the optical chamber.3. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 1, wherein an accommodationmodule is encapsulated within a soft contact lens material.
 4. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 3 wherein the accommodationmodule comprises a sealed module, the sealed module comprising, theoptical chamber, wherein the optical chamber comprises a supportstructure extending around the optical chamber, the support structurecomprising an upper portion and a lower portion, an upper membrane and alower membrane coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion,respectively, so as to define the optical chamber, and one or moreextensions each comprising a channel, wherein the plurality ofeyelid-engaging chambers are coupled to the optical chamber with the oneor more extensions, wherein the plurality of eyelid-engaging chamberscomprises a fluid.
 5. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4,wherein the support structure holds the upper membrane and the lowermembrane with a substantially fixed distance between outer portions ofthe upper membrane and the lower membrane near the support structurewhen the contact lens accommodates in order to inhibit opticaldistortion of one or more of the upper membrane or the lower membranewhen fluid is transmitted from the one or more of the eyelid-engagingchambers to the optical chamber.
 6. An accommodating contact lens as inclaim 3, wherein the contact lens comprises an optical correction zoneto correct a refractive error of the eye and wherein one or more of atleast one eyelid engaging chamber, an extension, a support structure oran anchor extends at least partially within the optical correction zone.7. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 6, wherein the opticalcorrection zone comprises a lens anterior surface and a lens posteriorsurface of the contact lens and the accommodation module comprises amodule anterior surface and a module posterior surface, and wherein thecontact lens material comprises an anterior thickness profile extendingbetween the lens anterior surface and the module anterior surface and aposterior thickness profile extending between the lens posterior surfaceand the module posterior surface, and wherein the accommodation modulecomprises a module thickness profile extending between the moduleanterior surface and the module posterior surface, and wherein theanterior thickness profile, the posterior thickness profile and themodule thickness profile together provide optical power of the opticalcorrection zone to correct vision of the eye.
 8. An accommodatingcontact lens as in claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the at leastone eyelid engaging chamber extends within the optical correction zoneand light transmitted through the at least the portion corrects visionof the eye.
 9. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 6, wherein atleast a portion of the extension extends within the optical correctionzone and light transmitted through the at least the portion correctsvision of the eye.
 10. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 6,wherein at least a portion of the support structure extends within theoptical correction zone and light transmitted through the at least theportion corrects vision of the eye.
 11. An accommodating contact lens asin claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the anchor extends within theoptical correction zone and light transmitted through the at least theportion corrects vision of the eye.
 12. An accommodating contact lens asin claim 11, wherein the anchor comprises one or more openings and thecontact lens material extends through the one or more openings, andwherein an optically transmissive support material extends around theone or more openings to define the openings, and wherein the opticallytransmissive support material and the contact lens material comprisesimilar indices of refraction to inhibit optical artifacts.
 13. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein the sealed module islocated inside the soft contact lens material such that a geometricalcenter of an optic of the soft contact lens material is co-linear with ageometrical center of the optical chamber of the accommodation module.14. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein the channel ofeach of the one or more extensions comprises a cross sectional width anda cross sectional height and wherein the cross-sectional width isgreater than the cross sectional height and wherein each of the one ormore extensions comprises an upper membrane and a lower membrane.
 15. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 14, wherein the cross-sectionalwidth comprises a distance within a range from about 10 um to about 1.5mm and wherein the cross-sectional height comprises a distance within arange from about 10 um to about 50 um and wherein the extensioncomprises a length extending a distance extending between the chamberand the one or more chambers within a range from about 0.5 mm to about 3mm.
 16. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein the opticalchamber and the plurality of eyelid-engaging chambers each comprise apositive pressure.
 17. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 16,wherein the optical chamber and the plurality of eyelid-engagingchambers each comprise a positive pressure providing a deflection of anupper membrane of the optical chamber and an upper membrane of theplurality of eyelid-engaging chambers in order to facilitate fluidiccommunication and responsiveness between the optical chamber and theeyelid-engaging chambers.
 18. An accommodating contact lens as in claim16, wherein an upper membrane of the optical chamber comprises a firstelastic deflection and an upper membrane of the plurality ofeyelid-engaging chambers comprises a second elastic deflection andwherein a force of the first elastic deflection opposes a force of thesecond elastic deflection in order to maintain the pressure of the fluidin the optical chamber and the plurality of eyelid-engaging chambers.19. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein top and bottomsurfaces of the contact lens extend over the accommodation module. 20.An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein an index ofrefraction of the fluid is within a range from about 1.44 to 1.55 andthe upper membrane and the lower membrane comprise a similar index ofrefraction to within about 0.05.
 21. An accommodating contact lens as inclaim 4, wherein the optical chamber comprises an internal diameterwithin a range from about 3 mm to about 5 mm.
 22. An accommodatingcontact lens as in claim 4, wherein the accommodation module comprisesan anchor connected to one or more of the optical chamber or theplurality of eyelid-engaging chambers.
 23. An accommodating contact lensas in claim 22, wherein the anchor is connected to the supportstructure.
 24. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 22, wherein theanchor comprises a flange having a plurality of openings and wherein asoft material of the contact lens extends through the plurality ofopenings.
 25. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 22, wherein theanchor comprises a plurality of anchors located around the opticalchamber and each of the plurality of anchors comprises a plurality ofopenings in a flange.
 26. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 22,wherein the anchor comprises a plurality of anchors.
 27. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein the support structurecomprises one or more of a ring, an oval or an annulus extending aroundthe optical chamber.
 28. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4,wherein the support structure defines a maximum dimension across theoptical chamber and wherein the maximum distance across the opticalchamber remains substantially fixed when a curvature of one or more ofthe upper or lower surfaces increases to provide increased opticalpower.
 29. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein thesupport structure comprises a material similar to the one or more of theupper membrane or the lower membrane.
 30. An accommodating contact lensas in claim 4, wherein the support structure comprises a material of theone or more of the upper membrane or the lower membrane.
 31. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 30, wherein the support structurecomprises the material of the upper membrane and the material of thelower membrane and wherein the material of the upper membrane is bondedto the material of the lower membrane to define the support structureand add stiffness to the support structure.
 32. An accommodating contactlens as in claim 4, wherein the support structure comprises a stiffstructure extending around the optical chamber and comprises a thicknessgreater than a thickness of one or more of the upper membrane or thelower membrane to add rigidity to the stiff structure.
 33. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein the support structurecomprises an annular structure having a substantially fixed innerdiameter and a substantially fixed length when the upper membraneincreases in curvature to provide at least about 1.5 Diopter of opticalpower.
 34. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein thesupport structure is connected to the upper membrane and the uppermembrane deflects to a spherical shape in response to pressure of theeyelid and the stiff structure comprises a substantially fixed maximumdimension across in order to provide the spherical shape when the uppermembrane deflects to the spherical shape.
 35. An accommodating contactlens as in claim 4, wherein the accommodation module comprises a selfsupporting module capable of supporting itself when removed from thecontact lens.
 36. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4, whereinthe support structure comprises a stiff structure comprising a stiffnessgreater than a stiffness of the upper membrane.
 37. An accommodatingcontact lens as in claim 4, wherein the support structure comprises alength extending along an optical axis of the eye corresponding to athickness of the upper membrane and the lower membrane.
 38. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 4, the upper membrane comprisesan upper membrane thickness and the lower membrane comprises a lowermembrane thickness, and wherein an upper flange extends an upperdistance from the upper membrane and a lower flange extends a lowerdistance from the lower membrane and wherein the lower distance isgreater than the lower thickness and the upper distance is greater thanthe upper thickness.
 39. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 38,wherein the upper flange is bonded to the lower flange and wherein theupper flange is bonded to the lower flange to define the supportstructure.
 40. An accommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein eachof the eyelid-engaging chambers comprises a lower membrane and an uppermembrane and an upper flange extending from the upper membrane and alower flange extending from the lower membrane and wherein the upperflange is bonded to the lower flange to define a support structureextending around each of the eyelid-engaging chambers.
 41. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 4, wherein each of the one ormore extensions comprises a lower membrane and an upper membrane and anupper flange extending from the upper membrane and a lower flangeextending from the lower membrane and wherein the upper flange is bondedto the lower flange to define a support structure extending around eachof the eyelid-engaging chambers.
 42. An accommodating contact lens as inclaim 4, wherein the module comprises an upper face having an upperthickness and the lower face having a lower thickness greater than theupper thickness, and wherein the module comprises an indicia to indicatean orientation of the upper face and the lower face.
 43. Anaccommodating contact lens as in claim 42, wherein the indicia comprisesone or more of a marker or an arrangement of structures to identify theupper face or the lower face.
 44. An accommodating contact lens as inclaim 43, wherein the accommodation module comprises a midline extendingthrough an optical zone of the contact lens, and wherein theaccommodation module is disposed about the midline and wherein themarker or arrangement of structures on a first side of the midlineidentifies the upper face in an upper orientation and wherein the markeror arrangement on a second side of the midline identifies the upper facein a lower configuration.
 45. An accommodating contact lens as in claim44, the midline is oriented to within about +/−fifteen degrees of avertical direction when the user is upright to provide an even weightdistribution and inhibit cyclo rotation of the lens relative to thecornea about an optical axis of the eye.
 46. An accommodating contactlens as in claim 44, the marker or arrangement of structures comprisesan index of refraction similar to an index of refraction of the contactlens material to inhibit visibility of the marker or arrangement ofstructures when the contact lens material encapsulates the accommodationmodule and wherein the marker or arrangement is visible when theaccommodation module is exposed to air.
 47. An accommodating contactlens as in claim 42, wherein the arrangement of structures comprises anarrangement of openings in an anchor of the accommodation module orwherein the marker comprises a marking on the accommodation module.